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Difficulty: MediumTaxonomy and Classification

The domestic dog (*Canis lupus familiaris*) and the coyote (*Canis latrans*) belong to the same genus, whereas the red fox (*Vulpes vulpes*) belongs to a different genus within the family Canidae. Which of the following taxonomic ranks represents the most specific classification level shared by all three animals?

  1. A
    Genus
  2. FamilyAnswer
  3. C
    Order
  4. D
    Species

Answer

Family
Biological classification follows the hierarchy: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species. Because the domestic dog and coyote belong to the genus Canis while the red fox belongs to the genus Vulpes, they diverge at the genus level. Since all three are members of the family Canidae, Family is the most specific taxonomic rank common to all three organisms.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Recall the hierarchical order of Linnaean classification from broadest to most specific.
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
Establishing the sequence allows determination of which shared rank is the most specific.
2
Analyze the classification levels provided in the scenario for the three animals.
The dog and coyote share the genus Canis, but the red fox belongs to the genus Vulpes. All three belong to the family Canidae.
Because they diverge at the genus level, their most specific common classification must be one level higher in the hierarchy.
3
Identify the shared rank that is lowest (most specific) in the hierarchy.
Family is more specific than Order, Class, Phylum, Kingdom, or Domain.
Family is the lowest common rank before the organisms split into separate genera.

Key Concept

Linnaean taxonomic hierarchy and specificity of shared taxa
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Taxonomy and Classification

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